Background

The actor, who was born in Iowa, is the great-great-grandson of General James Baird Weaver, the 1880 Greenback Party presidential candidate and the 1892 Populist Party ("People's Party") candidate for president.

It’s believed he was raised by his two older brothers in New York.

(Image: Photoshot)

Early career

Stephen, 67, got a taste for performing when he played bass and rhythm guitar in a number of rock and roll bands.

(Image: Rex)

7th Heaven

The TV drama series 7 Heaven is the show Stephen is best known for, which ran from 1996 to 2007.

Stephen, who appeared in 243 episodes, played Reverend Eric Camden in the series which follows himself, his wife and seven children.

It was well-liked in middle America due to the fact each episode dealt with a moral lesson or controversial theme, ranging from drug abuse to sexual harassment.

Star Trek

Stephen portrayed Captain/Commander Willard Decker in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which was released in 1979.

This early role cemented him as a household name and the movie remains the highest-grossing film of the franchise.

Cult status

The actor became somewhat of a cult figure due to parts in Tales of the Gold Monkey and Tattingers,

He also appeared in hugely popular shows such as The Waltons and Charlie’s Angels.

Awards

Stephen picked up a nomination for an Emmy for his part in the miniseries The Two Mrs. Grenvilles.

He also took on the role of John F.Kennedy in A Woman Named Jackie, which picked up the Emmy for Best Miniseries.

(Image: Rex)

Movies

His roster of films include The First Wives Club, Because I Said So and All The President’s Men.

(Image: Rex)

Recent work

His career hasn’t slowed down in recent years - he’s starred in Brothers & Sisters and The Office.

Last year he started playing Dr. Gene Porter in NBC Revolution.

(Image: NBC)

Love life

Stephen has been married twice. Firstly to Marjorie Weinman from 1970 to 1978 and then Faye Grant.

The couple married in 1985 and have a daughter Kate.

In 2012 Stephen filed for divorce from Faye, who has now provided a secretly recorded tape of him admitting to molesting underage girls in the 1970s.